New life for old building in Sterling?

The city of Sterling might sell the Sterling Standard building, 13 E. Fourth St., to a local man who said he has had preliminary discussions with businesses that are interested in locating there.

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(Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com)

The city of Sterling might sell the Sterling Standard building, 13 E. Fourth St., to a local man who said he has had preliminary discussions with businesses that are interested in locating there.

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Scott Hibbard

BY MATT MENCARINI
mmencarini@saukvalley.com
800-798-4085, ext. 529

STERLING – A local businessman will present to the city a development proposal for a vacant building next week.

The City Council declared the property at 13 E. Fourth St. surplus Monday night. That will allow it to sell it, potentially to Scott Hibbard, and save the $100,000 it would cost to demolish it.

“We do have a couple businesses interested in moving in there,” Hibbard said.

“We have some concepts, and since [the building has] been sitting idle, the city wants a legitimate plan.”

An architect’s rendering, along with designs and proposals, will be submitted to the city for approval, but Hibbard said some preliminary discussions with a few individuals have gone well. He would like to restore the original facade, he said, but right now all the plans are tentative.

Hibbard described the project as a partnership with the city, as it tries to save taxpayer money and develop downtown.

The building was previously owed by Ed Montano, of Las Vegas, and was acquired by the city through abandonment proceedings.